These are the major characters, or groups, involved in the conflict:
Nathaniel Bacon
Nathaniel Bacon was born in England in 1647 as the only son of a wealthy landowner. It seems like Bacon was a bit egotistical and he had offended several important people, including his father in law. His father arranged to help Nathaniel to move to the Virginia colony, probably to keep him out of more trouble and see if he would eventually grow up.
When Bacon got to Virginia in 1674, he got a big chunk of land and also was granted a seat on the Council by Governor Berkeley, which was apparently a pretty big honor. At globalsecurity.org they claim that Bacon was married to a cousin of Governor Berkeley, but I couldn't find any other sources to back that up.
Bacon died during the rebellion, apparently of dysentery, but most primary and secondary sources seem somewhat vague on the cause -- "bloody flux" is the most common primary source cause. His body was never recovered, but it may have been because he was also rumored to be covered with lice and his companions might have burned his body because of that.
Sir William Berkeley
Sir William Berkeley (Photo in public domain)
William Berkeley was born in England in 1606. He was well educated and his family had some influence at court. He was knighted during the Bishop's Wars, which were a religious battle between England and Scotland. He was then sent to the North American colonies and was made royal governor of Virginia in 1840. He distinguished himself and gained the support of the colonists by aggressively pursuing wars to control Indian attacks on the colonist settlements.
Berkeley was very tied to the politics in England and lost his position in Virginia for a little while, but was brought back as a popular governor in 1660.
After the problems with Bacon's Rebellion, he was recalled to England and he died shortly thereafter.
The Native Americans
Without listing the tribes, they pretty well lined up on two sides - those that were friendly with the colonists and those that were not. Part of the conflict with Bacon's Rebellion, it seems, is in the way that line is drawn. It seems like Governor Berkeley is trying to make sure that the friendly tribes are protected and the others punished for attacks. On the other hand, Bacon doesn't seem to care so much about a distinction, treating all Indians as hostile. Both sides of the Native Americans play a major role in the early months of Bacon's Rebellion, but the focus seems to shift away from them as the battles between Bacon's men and Berkeley's men take center stage.
These are the major characters, or groups, involved in the conflict:
Nathaniel Bacon
Nathaniel Bacon was born in England in 1647 as the only son of a wealthy landowner. It seems like Bacon was a bit egotistical and he had offended several important people, including his father in law. His father arranged to help Nathaniel to move to the Virginia colony, probably to keep him out of more trouble and see if he would eventually grow up.
When Bacon got to Virginia in 1674, he got a big chunk of land and also was granted a seat on the Council by Governor Berkeley, which was apparently a pretty big honor. At globalsecurity.org they claim that Bacon was married to a cousin of Governor Berkeley, but I couldn't find any other sources to back that up.
Bacon died during the rebellion, apparently of dysentery, but most primary and secondary sources seem somewhat vague on the cause -- "bloody flux" is the most common primary source cause. His body was never recovered, but it may have been because he was also rumored to be covered with lice and his companions might have burned his body because of that.
Sir William Berkeley
William Berkeley was born in England in 1606. He was well educated and his family had some influence at court. He was knighted during the Bishop's Wars, which were a religious battle between England and Scotland. He was then sent to the North American colonies and was made royal governor of Virginia in 1840. He distinguished himself and gained the support of the colonists by aggressively pursuing wars to control Indian attacks on the colonist settlements.
Berkeley was very tied to the politics in England and lost his position in Virginia for a little while, but was brought back as a popular governor in 1660.
After the problems with Bacon's Rebellion, he was recalled to England and he died shortly thereafter.
The Native Americans
Without listing the tribes, they pretty well lined up on two sides - those that were friendly with the colonists and those that were not. Part of the conflict with Bacon's Rebellion, it seems, is in the way that line is drawn. It seems like Governor Berkeley is trying to make sure that the friendly tribes are protected and the others punished for attacks. On the other hand, Bacon doesn't seem to care so much about a distinction, treating all Indians as hostile. Both sides of the Native Americans play a major role in the early months of Bacon's Rebellion, but the focus seems to shift away from them as the battles between Bacon's men and Berkeley's men take center stage.
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